Find & Apply For Animal Trainer Jobs in Laupahoehoe, Hawaii

This is a volunteer role for a fully volunteer run non-profit. There is no pay. The Onsite Animal Sanctuary Manager supports the safe, compassionate, and organized daily operation of Magical Creatures Sanctuary. Managers oversee sanctuary operations, animal-health practices, volunteers, interns, supplies, and basic facility needs. Volunteers and interns perform routine daily animal-care shifts under the managers' training and supervision. Managers ensure that care is completed correctly and consistently, stepping into routine shifts when the sanctuary is shorthanded or experiences last-minute schedule changes. All Onsite Managers have the same responsibilities and must combine animal-care and animal-health experience with sound operational judgment, leadership, initiative, and practical problem-solving skills. ResponsibilitiesOperations and Coverage Oversee daily sanctuary operations, animal-care workflows, volunteer assignments, tours, and scheduled programming. Maintain operational calendars, checklists, logs, shift notes, and clear communication between managers and leadership. Monitor feed, bedding, medical, cleaning, and operating supplies and communicate ordering needs before shortages occur. Maintain safe, organized animal-care, food-preparation, storage, office, and shared operational areas. Support emergency response involving injured animals, escapes, severe weather, water failures, or facility hazards. Volunteer and Intern Supervision Train volunteers and interns in feeding, cleaning, enrichment, welfare checks, safe handling, sanitation, recordkeeping, and sanctuary procedures. Assign and oversee daily work and confirm that required animal care is completed correctly and consistently. Provide clear guidance, coaching, and appropriate corrections while maintaining a respectful learning environment. Support the interns' educational curriculum and practical animal-care training. Refer significant conduct, performance, or safety concerns to the Executive Director or HR. Cover routine animal-care shifts when staffing shortages or last-minute schedule changes require it. Animal Health Oversight Monitor residents for changes in health, mobility, behavior, appetite, or condition and ensure concerns are addressed promptly. Ensure medications, treatments, health records, and veterinary instructions are handled correctly by appropriately trained individuals. Assist with routine health needs within the manager's training and approved sanctuary protocols. Maintain accurate animal-health records and medical-supply inventory. Contact the Executive Director, veterinarian, or other qualified professional when a concern exceeds the manager's training or authority. Facilities Regularly observe the property and proactively identify animal-care, safety, maintenance, and operational concerns. Monitor gates, fences, water systems, enclosures, tools, vehicles, and equipment and report problems promptly. Address minor repairs when they fall within the manager's skills, authority, and available resources. Contact the appropriate leader, veterinarian, contractor, vendor, or emergency service when an issue cannot be resolved safely in-house. Document significant problems, actions taken, and required follow-up. Volunteer Schedule Managers generally volunteer approximately 2½ to 3½ full operational days per week; approximately 3½ days may be required when only two managers are onsite. An operational day includes assigned morning and afternoon oversight and any tours or programming scheduled that day Provided Housing Managers receive designated private or shared onsite housing separate from intern accommodations and do not reside in the volunteer yurt. Housing supports sanctuary operations and the residential volunteer experience and is not represented as wages or financial compensation. Interns and other volunteers may not enter manager housing except as permitted by sanctuary policy. Sanctuary meetings, supervision, administrative work, and other sanctuary business are conducted only in designated office spaces. Benefits Private or shared onsite manager housing, utilities, and internet access. Staple foods supplied onsite through scheduled deliveries. Limited access to a shared company vehicle and reimbursement for approved, logged mileage up to the equivalent of two round trips to Hilo per week. Four weeks of unpaid personal leave annually, subject to advance approval and coverage. Animal-care education, professional development, and biweekly virtual learning opportunities when available. Experience in nonprofit operations, sanctuary management, animal care, and animal-health coordination. Required Qualifications Meaningful experience with farmed animals, animal sanctuaries, veterinary assistance, or comparable animal-care work. Ability to recognize and promptly report signs of illness, injury, pain, stress, or behavioral change. Familiarity with routine animal-health practices and the ability to follow written veterinary and treatment protocols. Experience coordinating people, schedules, supplies, projects, or daily operations. Strong judgment, initiative, organization, communication, and calm decision-making during emergencies. Ability to train and guide volunteers and interns with patience, clarity, and respect. Ability to identify problems, take appropriate action, and escalate matters promptly. Comfort using email, Slack, shared calendars, databases, and basic office software. Commitment to humane, fear-free care, sanctuary policies, professional boundaries, and the vegan onsite environment. Valid driver's license and ability to operate sanctuary vehicles safely, if driving is required. Preferred Qualifications Animal-health, veterinary-assistant, veterinary-technician, or related training. Experience with ruminants, pigs, poultry, special-needs animals, medications, wound care, bandaging, hoof care, fecal testing, or health recordkeeping. Previous sanctuary, rescue, volunteer-supervision, or team-leadership experience. Basic general maintenance skills. First aid, CPR, emergency-response, or occupational-safety training. Physical and Environmental Requirements Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and perform active outdoor work. Ability to bend, kneel, push, pull, reach, and walk on uneven, muddy, or sloped terrain. Ability to work safely in changing weather and respond promptly to animal or facility emergencies. Comfort working around large animals, animal waste, odors, insects, dust, and cleaning or medical supplies. Commitment A minimum six-month commitment is expected, with a one-year commitment strongly preferred. Limited exceptions may be considered by leadership. This expectation supports continuity of animal care, stable teamwork, and reduced turnover and retraining.

Pay:

$1.00 per hour Expected hours: 18.0 - 30.0 per week Application Question(s): Do you understand this is a complete volunteer role at a fully volunteer run non profit organization? There is no pay. Please describe your past work or volunteer experience(s) you feel are relevant to this position. What types of animals do you have direct experience with? Please describe. Do you have any experience with or exposure to animal sanctuaries? What does sanctuary mean to you? Do you understand that Magical Creatures Sanctuary (MCS) is a vegan organization? We kindly ask that all volunteers and visitors respect our values by refraining from bringing or consuming animal products while onsite.

Work Location:

In person